Militant group Hamas said on Thursday it was ready to begin talks on the second phase of a ceasefire in Gaza after several hundred Palestinians were released from Israeli jails overnight in return for the bodies of four Israeli hostages.

An Israeli group representing families of hostages held by Hamas says the remains of all four hostages returned early Thursday have been identified. Hamas says it is ready to negotiate the next phase of the cease-fire.

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas handed over four dead hostages to the Red Cross early Thursday in exchange for Israel’s release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, days before the first phase of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will end.